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Houghton Ensign Special Reflex Tropen (Tropical)

The Houghton Ensign Special Reflex Tropen (Tropical) is a single-lens reflex plate camera produced in a tropical specification, with teak or polished hardwood bodywork and brass fittings intended for use in humid climates. It belongs to the early twentieth-century era of British SLR plate cameras and was positioned as a premium variant of the Ensign Special Reflex line.

With only a single recorded UK auction result to reference, pricing guidance for the Tropen variant is limited: a hammer price of £900 was achieved in May 2012 at saleroom level. As of today in 2026 the camera remains scarce, and what one is worth at auction depends heavily on the condition of the wood, leather bellows and shutter blind, with clean working examples likely to sell for more than rougher ones — but with so little data, any single figure is indicative rather than a firm market value.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: August 2023

Date Price Source
Aug 2023 £325 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £275 Flints Auctions
Nov 2013 EUR 460 Leitz Auction
May 2012 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
May 2010 EUR 1,100 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Houghton Ensign Special Reflex Tropen worth?

Auction data for this tropical-bodied SLR is very thin: the only recorded UK hammer price in our dataset is £900, achieved in 2012, so any current value estimate carries significant uncertainty.

How much does an Ensign Special Reflex Tropical sell for at auction?

On the limited evidence available, a complete example sold for £900 at UK auction, but with just one data point the realistic price today could sit either side of that figure depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

Why is the Tropen version more collectable than the standard Ensign Special Reflex?

The Tropical variant uses polished hardwood and brass fittings instead of leather-covered metal, and was made in much smaller numbers for export to hot and humid regions, which is why its value at auction tends to exceed that of the standard model.

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